The Playwrights
BENJAMIN from THE PLAYWRIGHTS
1. Who are you?
a third-rate first-mate of the good ship Playwright
2. No, really, who are you?
I’m still finding out myself… life’s a rollercoaster, you’ve just got to ride it
3. What are you up to at the moment?
Expanding my global empire via the PC in my spare room
4. What three rules would make up your manifesto?
Firstly don’t take any shit.
Secondly don’t give out too much shit.
Thirdly don’t step in any shit.
5. If you were the dictator of a modern industrial country, what would
you abolish? What laws would you implement?
I’d abolish nuclear energy and introduce more wind power. I’d compulsory purchase all derelict property and covert it into cheap housing for first time buyers. I’d introduce decent public transport, make voting a legal requirement of civic duty and get Wogan back on the telly…
6. What are your lyrics about?
town planning, modern office infrastructure, apocalyptic visions and homosexual panic
7. What is your opinion on the contemporary music scene? What do you
like/dislike?
‘scene’.. what’s that? we’re not from London you know. There’s some great bands out there and some truly awful ones. I try to keep abreast of what’s going on without having to engage with it too much, whilst simultaneously being an arbiter of good taste ahead of the pack. music should be emotional, life-affirming stuff that helps shape your opinions and the way you conduct your life, not a paper trail of torrid tabloid tales and wasted banknotes…
8. What distinguishes you from your peers?
The Playwrights – English accents and poverty and the westcountry
Myself – A David Nivenesque moustache
9. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
Practicing tantric sex in my New York apartment with my beautiful wife as my band’s world music influenced 4th album hits the shops… (need to up my work ethic in line with Aaron’s!)
10. Any regrets?
1. all of the above answers
2. not impulsively kissing enough girls
3. not experimenting enough with drugs
4. never having hitchhiked anywhere
5. never having lived in a foreign country
6. never having seen Guided By Voices live
7. never having directed the modern day equivalent to ‘Citizen Kane’
8. never having toured the world in a bitching rock band…. oh hang on…
AARON from THE PLAYWRIGHTS
1. Who are you?
Ah, the last studio album by the legendary rock band featuring Keith Moon, do you dig?
2. No, really, who are you?
ok, you got me, light her up, I’m Aaron Dewey and who are you in the main is a dreadful effort.
3. What are you up to at the moment?
Sat at my desk in the corporate world after 9-5 day, on a grim trading estate. the late afternoon sun is glaring through the window blinds which is revitalising my drained body and slightly creased shirt, with mac jukebox pumping out random heavenly playlist whilst looking forward to band practice. the graveyard shift 9pm-12pm…ouch!
4. What three rules would make up your manifesto?
always make time for powernaps.
make grapes, (against all drummer’s protest’s) an essential part of pre-show ritual, never bombay mix.
insist on a female bass player, for backing vocal purposes.
5. If you were the dictator of a modern industrial country, what would
you abolish? What laws would you implement?
I would abolish ken livingstone’s outrageous pr budget.
I would implement a 48 hour period to pay the London congestion charge and would insist that London cc employees have some decency.
6. What are your lyrics about?
my lyrics are full of honest, optimistic themes, occasional sadness & anger and in the main they are unfinished masterpieces striving to see daylight.
7. What is your opinion on the contemporary music scene? What do you
like/dislike?
all contemporary mid-tempo radio playlist pop/rock is currently sounding the same, i can unfortunately hear the lyrics and unoriginal riffs that don’t even make me laugh anymore, bryan adams being the exception. dislike-nearly all major labels, like-digital radio.
8. What distinguishes you from your peers?
we’re beginning to look sharply dressed, being complete in this manner like our peers is overrated. we’re confident, we’re hardworking, we can work as part of a team or individually and we always exceed expectations.
9. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
in the same office; 5 albums, 15 singles, 1 solo album, 1 orchestral filmscore and various compilations down, pimping out the rest of the band for perverse enjoyment.
10. Any regrets?
not having enough time to dedicate to practising playing drums regularly since the age of 20.
not having 5 hobs that work consistently in my kitchen.
missing end of year sales target and subsequent £4000 bonus in November 2001, could have bought some decent recording equipment!
Having a day job instead of rocking every day.
MAFF from THE PLAYWRIGHTS
1. Who are you?
Maff.
2. No, really, who are you?
Maff.
3. What are you up to at the moment?
trying to think of answers to these questions
4. What three rules would make up your manifesto?
fish, chips and mushy peas.
5. If you were the dictator of a modern industrial country, what would
you abolish? What laws would you implement?
too complicated – next question
6. What are your lyrics about?
I used to write songs about ex-girlfriends, but now I just hit things.
7. What is your opinion on the contemporary music scene? What do you
like/dislike?
I like the fact that you can become an instant hit almost overnight. I dislike bands who become instant hits overnight
8. What distinguishes you from your peers?
I hate getting my hair cut and I shave as little as possible
9. Where do you see yourself in five years time?
somewhere else
10. Any regrets?
depends if you publish these answers…